Jomo ban gets suspsended: NYFC reduces fines for Ntopwa FC

Southern Region FMB Under 20 side Ntopwa Super Boys Football Club can afford a smile following the reduction of fines and suspension of bans imposed on them by the National Youth Football Association Disciplinary Committee.

Jomo Osman: Ban suspended

Ntopwa FC, some players and owner Isaac Jomo Osman were slapped with fines and bans following various range of offences commited before, during and after the 2016 FMB Under 20 League National Finals staged at the Mzuzu Stadium in November last year.

They were among other things charged with offences of late arrival at the venue, assault of match officials, misconduct/misbehaviour and bringing the game of football into disripute.

The team launched an appeal on 9th December 2016 and the appeal has finally beared fruits.

During the discilinary hearing, Ntopwa through its representatives-Coach Enos Chatama and Club Owner Isaac Jomo Osman did not dispute charges leveled against them but appealed for leniency.

Accordig to a verdict released by NYFC, Ntopwa representatives were remorseful and took considerable time regreting as well as offering a strong apology to National Youth Football Association (NYFA) and
sponsors of the League FMB Bank.

Jomo Osman was slapped with a three year ban from taking part in any football related activities for misbehaviour after he insulted NYFA and FMB officials plus a K20,000 fine while six players namely
Kondwani Saizi, Andrew Gusto, Dalitso Adam, Mphatso Magaleta, Madalitso Samifolo and Mark Lameck were banned and fined K20,000 each.

Ntopwa revealed names of two players Mike Limande and Mike Kasongo which they claim were involved and played a leading role in the fracas but were not listed in the reports and but were rather replaced by
other names.

In penalties, the NYFC maintained K50,000 fine to the team but suspended a one year ban for a period of 12 months from the date of hereof.

They were also warned that if found guilty in any offence within the 12 months, the ban will be imposed.

The club will also pay a total of K80,000 for four of its players Madalitso Sawifolo, Andrew Gusto, Limande and Kasongo.

“We maintain the fine of MK20,000.00 for Mr. Isaac Jomo Osman. However, we suspend the 3 year ban for a period of 12 months from the date of hereof,” reads part of the statement.

It further adds that in that 12 months, Mr. Isaac Jomo Osman should not commit any offence and must go to games as a mere spectator without being on the bench of Ntopwa Super Boys FC as well as
interfering in any manner whether directly or indirectly.

“Any breach of conditions within the said 12 months will trigger an automatic restoration of the three year ban” it reads.

The discplinary committee states that punishment given to Ntopwa will serve as a lesson to them and other clubs and it wil avoid a repeat of the same in the future.

Silver Strikers Reserve won 1-0 in the final of the 2016 FMB Under 20 National Finals after beating Ntopwa Super Boys at the Mzuzu Stadium.

However, there was chaos in the dying minutes after Ntopwa players attacked the referee accusing him of denying them what they believed could have been a genuine penalty.

The match was abandoned for some minutes but resumed later after thorough consultations between sponsors, referees, clubs and NYFA officials.

Still more, at the end Ntopwa players refused to receive their medals during prize presentation.